Turin must be one of Italy’s most unsung cities. While most travelers to Italy head to the triptych Rome-Florence-Venice, Turin appears to remain off the tourists’ radar. This northern Italian city is known at economic-level most of all for its car production, due to the automobile factory FIAT and to its allied industries. In recent years, however, Turin has successfully reinvented itself as a city of the arts, design and gastronomy. While Rome is associated with Antiquity and Florence with the Renaissance, Turin is Italy’s regal city per excellence. First capital of unified Italy and historic home to the Savoy kings, Turin is an elegant city filled with beautiful baroque churches and palazzi, 11 miles of porticos and a vibrant cultural scene—not to mention great food and some of the best wines in the world.

Itinerary:

Early morning departure from Florence to Turin on Saturday. Arrival in Turin late in the morning, hotel check-in and light lunch. Guided visit of the city centre and main sites (Piazza Castello, Duomo, Palazzo Madama, Mole Antonelliana and Cinema Museum to enjoy a panoramic view of Turin) free time for the rest of the day. On Sunday morning, transfer to the Langhe area to visit a local wine producer, wine tasting and light lunch. Return to Florence in the mid-afternoon.

The activity includes:

Round-trip transportation

One night in hotel (shared rooms) and breakfast

Entry fee and guided visit of selected sites

2 meals

Wine tasting

Field learning staff on-site

Insurance

The activity does not include:

Meals not listed above

Entrance fees or costs associated to sites/activities visited on own

Learning outcomes:

Become familiar with the history of Italy and the Risorgimento period which led to the unification of the country’s city-states within one single nation.

Become familiar with the history of Turin and the region of Piedmont

Assess the achievements of Renaissance and Baroque architecture outside of Florence

Trace the origins of many aspects of Western European culture and of modern Western society in general

Place artwork and other archaeological evidence in the context that created them

Recognize the geographical production areas of products of excellence such as truffles, chocolate and Nebbiolo-based wines, like Barolo, Barbaresco and Langhe;

Gain a broader knowledge of food culture and products that are unique to Italy, including their history;

Increase critical thinking, especially in relation to the role tourism plays in marketing the history, food and culture of Italy;